Kaila Comerie

What inspired you to study public health?

In my second year at UC Davis, I joined Imani Clinic, a student-run clinic whose goal is to serve the underserved African Diaspora of Oak Park Sacramento. Imani prides itself in not only holistic patient care, but community outreach, where we are able to meet people where they are and provide basic needs. My experiences within Imani showed me the importance of truly understanding communities and the barriers they face when advocating for their needs. I had the amazing opportunity to speak with many unhoused individuals within Oak Park, and many expressed how grateful they were that we listened to their stories and provided real tangible solutions. Public health is not just assuming you know the needs of the community but connecting to the community so you can provide solutions that will truly impact them. The people of Oak Park continuously inspire me to make real change for communities, especially my communities, and public health is the perfect way for me to do so.

What has been a meaningful public health experience during your undergraduate program?

This past summer I had the honor of being part of the 2024 cohort of Undergraduate Public Health Scholars at UC Davis. Within this program, I worked with Dr. Brittany Chambers to complete and present my research project: “‘I kept hearing all these horror stories about it’: Barriers and Facilitators to Black Women Actualizing Their Birth Control Desires During the Perinatal Period”. This program was invaluable for me, as I was able to conduct research within a field, I’m truly passionate about (maternal health), all while working with mentors that provided me with guidance, knowledge, and support. I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to learn more about the world of public health through this program, which solidified my pursuit of public health as a career option for me. UPHS also provided me with a community of like-minded individuals with similar backgrounds to me and showed me that there’s room for all of us to succeed. This program ultimately increased my confidence in my abilities and allowed me to grow exponentially as a student and a scientist.

What kind of job are you hoping to pursue after graduation?

I am planning to obtain a Master’s in Public Health and then see where it takes me!

What would you tell a peer who was thinking about majoring in public health?

My public health classes have been the most impactful classes I have taken throughout all my time in college. If you are passionate about addressing disparities and serving communities on a larger scale, public health is for you. The passion that everyone within this field radiates often makes me emotional. You will learn about things that will infuriate or upset you about the current state of the world but allow that to fuel you to go out there and make an impact.

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